2024 -- S 2636

========

LC005294

========

     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2024

____________

A N   A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- DEPARTMENT OF

TRANSPORTATION

     

     Introduced By: Senator Linda L. Ujifusa

     Date Introduced: March 01, 2024

     Referred To: Senate Housing & Municipal Government

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

1

     SECTION 1. Chapter 42-13 of the General Laws entitled "Department of Transportation"

2

is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

3

     42-13-9. Restoration of stone bridge abutment in Portsmouth.

4

     (a) The Stone Bridge abutment and property immediately to the south known as "Teddy's

5

Beach" is owned by the state and controlled through the department of transportation (the

6

"department"). In 2019, a portion of the Stone Bridge abutment eroded and collapsed into the

7

Sakonnet River. As a result, the department erected the fencing to close off the property for public

8

use due to safety concerns. The Stone Bridge abutment continues to be closed for public use. In

9

addition, the Teddy's Beach property requires cleaning, maintenance, and management by the state.

10

     (b) The department shall effectuate a complete and total restoration, reconstruction and

11

refurbishing (the "repair") of the Stone Bridge abutment. The department shall actively pursue and

12

seek any and all federal, state, and other sources of public funding that may be available to

13

accomplish this repair.

14

     (c) The department, in conjunction the division of parks and recreation within the

15

department of environmental management, shall institute a program to clean, maintain, and manage

16

the Teddy's Beach property.

17

     (d) The department shall undertake the actions set forth herein for the possible future

18

transfer of the Stone Bridge abutment and Teddy’s Beach property to the town of Portsmouth.

 

1

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

========

LC005294

========

 

LC005294 - Page 2 of 3

EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- DEPARTMENT OF

TRANSPORTATION

***

1

     This act would direct the department of transportation to effectuate a complete and total

2

restoration, reconstruction, and refurbishing of the Stone Bridge abutment in Portsmouth and to

3

actively pursue and seek any and all federal, state, and other sources of public funding that may be

4

available to accomplish this repair. The act would also direct the department to act, in conjunction

5

with the department of environmental management, to clean, maintain, and manage the property

6

adjacent to the abutment known as "Teddy's Beach", for the possible future transfer of the Stone

7

Bridge abutment and Teddy's Beach property to the town of Portsmouth.

8

     This act would take effect upon passage.

========

LC005294

========

 

LC005294 - Page 3 of 3